Emollient applicator for use with electric shavers

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to an applicator elastically applied upon the head of an electric shaving device and having integral means for the absorptive containment of an emollient which is applied upon the skin by pressure of the applicator thereon. Such emollient thereby conditions the skin and beard for removal of the latter by the cutting heads of the electric shaver.

United States Patent Regan [151 3,656,234 [451 Apr. 18, 1972 EMOLLIENT APPLICATOR FOR USE WITH ELECTRIC SHAVERS Malachy J. Regan, 1911 Jefferson Davis Inventor:

Highway, Room 302, Arlington, Va.

Filed: July 1, 1970 App1.No.: 51,539

US. Cl ..30/90, 15/ 104.93 Int. Cl ..B26b 21/44 Field of Search ..l5/ 104.93, 104.94; 30/41, 90;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,477,127 11/1969 Regan ..30/41 Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz: Assistant Examiner-Gary L. Smith [57] ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to an applicator elastically applied upon the head of an electric shaving device and having integral means for the absorptive containment of an emollient which is applied upon the skin by pressure of the applicator thereon. Such emollient thereby conditions the skin and beard for removal of the latter by the cutting heads of the electric shaver.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures EMOLLIENT APPLICATOR FOR USE WITH ELECTRIC SHAVERS This invention relates to means for applying an emollient to the skin upon preparing to use an electric shaver, and for continued application of such emollient during the shaving process.

Many users of electric shavers find that the pre-shave lotions dry before all areas of the face and neck can be shaved, and that the cutting heads acting upon the dry skin tend to chafe and irritate the skin, leaving it reddened and sometimes painful.

Certain other methods of applying an emollient for the treatment of the shavers face and neck have been proposed, including US. Pat. No. 3,477,127 and 3,486,225, and copending application Ser. No. 719,376, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,517,441 all invented by the applicant in the present instance.

However, such prior patents teach either rigid channels for the containment of the applicator, or an adhesively attached channel which makes it difficult to apply the sponge member to the housing and limits the effectiveness of the cleansing action after shaving is completed, to remove particles of the heard from the pores of the sponge. In addition, it has been found necessary to meet the requirements for an applicator that would fit on any size or shape of electric shaver housing, and that could be repeatedly removed for cleansing of the sponge member and re-attached upon the housing.

The present invention, therefore, provides for an endless elastic member which may be fitted over the shaver head, where it is held in position by the pull of elasticity, said member having attached thereto a porous sponge-like member suited to receive and, upon suitable pressure thereon, to release, an emollient which is spread upon the skin just prior to removal of the beard by the action of the cutting heads.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric shaver with a band of sponge rubber mounted on it;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a band of sponge material con stituting one of the components of this invention, said band when extended for application upon a housing being shown in broken lines;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of other embodiments of the sponge member.

Referring more particularly to the drawings,

In FIG. 1, band 10 is shown made from porous sponge-like material 11, with integral holding band 12, fitted over the top of shaver housing 15.

In FIG. 2, member 10 is shown with the sponge material 11 having an integrally attached band member 12 for attachment upon an elastic band 13 by means of adhesive 14, in a plane slightly higher than the top of the cutting heads of shaver 15.

In FIG. 3, the sponge member designated 10a and shown in relaxed circular configuration, is shown in broken lines, extended into an elliptical contour 16, for fitting over the head of an oval shaver housing.

FIG. 4 shows the member of porous material 11a and integral anchoring band 12a, attached to elastic band 13a upon the interior thereof, by adhesive 14a.

FIG. 5 shows a member 10b having the emollient retaining portion 11b integrally formed with attachment band 12b, said band being so positioned as to cause the emollient retaining portion to be positioned inwardly toward and adjacent to the cutting heads.

FIG. 6 shows applicator member 10c with emollient retaining portion formed integrally with attachment band 120, said band being so positioned as to cause the applicator portion to be positioned at a point not directly contiguous to the cutting heads.

When preparing to use an electric shaver, the user affixes the product of this invention upon the shaver bly app] ing the elas 1c band mem r upon the outside of the s aver ousing,

so as to position the applicator sponge in a plane slightly above that of the cutting heads. A small quantity of any desired emollient is then applied upon the sponge member, where it is retained until released by preasure of the shaver and the sponge member upon the face or neck of the user. The skin is thus moistened and softened before the electric shaver is activated, and upon such activation the blades cut a moistened, softened beard and glide smoothly over the skin.

The sponge member may be re-moistened with additional emollient if this is found necessary, and the porous material catches the bits of hair and draws them out of the path of the cutting heads.

Upon completion of shaving, the entire sponge and elastic band assembly may be removed from the shaver and rinsed to cleanse the sponge of accumulated emollient and bits of beard. It is then put aside to dry in preparation for the next use.

The invention having been thus disclosed, what is claimed is:

1. An applicator for use with electric shavers, comprising an endless elastic member and integrally attached to the outer surface thereof, in parallel relationship therewith, a porous, sponge-like member, said elastic and sponge assembly being circumferentially and removably mountable adjacent the cutting head and of the housing of said shaver, in such position as to place the cutting heads of said shaver substantially on a plane with the leading edge of said sponge material, thus permitting, upon compression of said material, release upon the skin of the user of a suitable skin treating substance held within said sponge.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said sponge-like material is adhesively attached to said elastic member.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said sponge-like material is integrally formed with an elastic retaining band. 

1. An applicator for use with electric shavers, comprising an endless elastic member and integrally attached to the outer surface thereof, in parallel relationship therewith, a porous, sponge-like member, said elastic and sponge assembly being circumferentially and removably mountable adjacent the cutting head and of the housing of said shaver, in such position as to place the cutting heads of said shaver substantially on a plane with the leading edge of said sponge material, thus permitting, upon compression of said material, release upon the skin of the user of a suitable skin treating substance held within said sponge.
 2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said sponge-like material is adhesively attached to said elastic member.
 3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said sponge-like material is integrally formed with an elastic retaining band. 